The estimated resident Indigenous population of Australia at 30 June 1991 was 351,000 people. In 2006, there were 517,000 Indigenous people, representing 2.5% of the total Australian population. Between 1991 and 2006 the Indigenous population increased by 2.6% per year on average, compared with 1.2% for the total Australian population.

The population of Indigenous Australians is projected to increase to between 713,300 and 721,100 people in 2021, at an average growth rate of 2.2% per year. In comparison, the average growth rate of the total Australian population is projected to be between 1.2% and 1.7% per year over the same period (Population Projections, Australia, 2006 to 2101, cat. no. 3222.0).

The Indigenous population is projected to increase across all age groups between 2006 and 2021. The number of Indigenous children (0-14 years) is projected to increase from 194,200 in 2006 to between 242,600 and 243,400 in 2021, while the number of Indigenous people aged 25-54 years is projected to increase from 183,000 in 2006 to between 260,100 and 262,300 in 2021. The number of older Indigenous people (55 years and over) is projected to more than double over the period, from 40,000 in 2006 to between 82,000 and 86,600 in 2021.

Estimated and projected Indigenous population, Australia - at 30 June

The median age of the Indigenous population is estimated to have increased from 20.1 years in 1991 to 21.0 years in 2006, and is projected to increase to between 23.9 and 24.1 years in 2021.

The proportion of Indigenous children aged 0-14 years is projected to decrease from 38% in 2006 to 34% in 2021, while the proportion of Indigenous people aged 55 years and over is projected to increase from 8% in 2006 to between 11% and 12% in 2021. The proportion of Indigenous people aged 25-54 years is projected to increase marginally, from 35% in 2006 to 36% in 2021.